The building industry has called on the government to help keep EU workers in Britain, with 12 months to go until Brexit day.

The call from the Federation of Master Builders reveals new research which shows those currently employing EU workers cannot manage without them.

It says politicians “must do all that they can” to make EU workers feel welcome, or face a major house-building crisis.

This new survey of the bosses of small and medium-sized (SME) firms found that 94 per cent describe the quality of their EU workers as good or very good.

A whole 76 per cent said it would have a negative impact on the health of their business if any of the EU workers they employ returned to their country of origin, post Brexit.

At present, migrant workers from across the EU make up nine per cent of those employed in Britain’s construction sector, according to Brian Berry, FMB chief executive.

“With exactly a year to go until Brexit Day, our research demonstrates the extent to which the UK construction industry values its EU workers,” he said.

He added that in London, nearly one third of those in the building trade are EU migrants.

“Given the severity of the skills shortages we already face, retaining these workers is critical for business,” he added.

“Our research sends a strong and positive message from the construction industry to its EU workers.

“We’re now calling on the Government to step up and help us convince our EU workers that they are needed and warmly welcome.”

Ministers recently announced that those who have lived in the UK for five years, or those who arrive from the EU during the transition period, will be able to apply for settlement, but Mr Berry warned that this is not well known among workers.

He said: “We’re already seeing EU workers return home for financial reasons, or simply because they don’t feel welcome, so time is of the essence.

“The Government and the building industry must do all that they can to put positive messages across to our vital and highly-valued EU workers.”